Bordeaux and Beyond

The Atlantic coastline has been attracting tourists for centuries and is made up of three distinct departments, Pyrenees Atlantiques (64), Gironde (33) and Landes (40).

The Basque coast of the Pyrenees Atlantiques is where the mountains meet the ocean. The rolling foothills of the Pyrenees sweep down to sandy beaches, bays, ports and cliffs, the stylish seaside resorts of Biarritz and St Jean de Luz, together with an array of authentic and charming coastal villages. The main towns of the area are Bayonne, Anglet and Biarritz which offer stunning panoramic coastal views. The area is renowned for the birth of surfing in France and world championship surfing events are held in the main seaside centres of Biarritz and Hossegor each year. There are more than 10 golf courses in the vicinity making this stretch of coast a golfer's paradise. Other popular activities include tennis, hiking, riding and relaxing in thalassotherapy (sea water) spa and well-being centres. In winter, ski resorts of the Pyrenees are accessible with 1.5 hours.

The area is served by an international airport and railway station at Biarritz. The airports at Pau and Bilbao can be reached in 1 hour and 1.5 hours respectively. There are excellent motorway connections (A63 to Bordeaux and A64 to Toulouse) and the Spanish border and San Sebastian are also within easy reach.

The Gironde coastline activity centres on the all year round seaside town of Arcachon which is hugely popular with French families. It has exceptional sandy beaches and a picturesque sea-front promenade. The area has distinct architecture with magnificent villas which feature stained glass, ornate balconies and intricate brickwork. A pleasant drive around the peninsula leads to Le Cap Ferret this property hot spot has smart boutiques, cafes and restaurants in a low-rise, laid-back setting. The ambience is casual, relaxed but appreciative of good living. The area is within easy reach of the beautiful city of Bordeaux and its international airport which can be reached within 40 minutes.